Finding the Way | 𝗥𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿

Chapter 4

The so-called-ugly Deacons were sitting on Audrey and John's living room with a cup of tea in hand, expecting her daughter to explain what has she been up to after two years of moving out, while Deaky was drinking quietly and the twins were blabbering about their own lives and their university life. 

Leo was known to be an aspiring lawyer, while Harry actually went for business; making their parents heart burst of joy and pride. Audrey would never admit it out loud, but she was kind of happy for them, too. But when the twins ended their chat and five pair of eyes were set on her again, she had sighed before gulping down what was left on her glass of wine and averting her eyes away from her parents.

And here I am again, she thought as her parents stared at her, waiting to hear her talk about her doings.

The night didn't turn out to be as bad as she expected it to be. The twins were quieter than in the morning and were actually acting as if they were grown men while talking about school and their expectations in life. She felt out of place and odd between them; living with John, who was about to get his degree and sitting between the twins, who actually had goals in life. 

Fortunately, she had a chance, however slim - to change the topic and get up to get more wine from the kitchen. John was doing something there, but Audrey didn't notice until she opened the cupboard and watched him with the corner of her eye.

"We're running out of wine", she sighed while closing the cupboard. John was washing the dishes as she said that, and he wiped his hands clean and dry so he could handle her some money.

"We will need it, so go buy it", he said in a low tone as the twins now were changing the topic to dating. She nodded and hurried to the door, taking her coat with her.

The streets were cold and wet, as the rain seemed to finally stop for a little while. In her way out, she carried a cigarette in her mouth as he tried to calm her anxiety down. Why would her parents even come around? She was doing so well those three years out seeing them. Now watching them with their expecting eyes that she always hated and hearing them being so glad about the twins' career choices made her blood boil. She felt less than them, always did.

The store wasn't that nearby and she was really not in a good mood, but still she tried to take her time so she could avoid going home for a while.

She walked in and greeted James, the store clerk, before going into the beverage section and watching the huge selection of wine that was displayed in front of her. The cigarette was really relaxing her, and while playing with the keys in her denim jacket pocket, she noticed she had to buy more of them too.

"You seem really concentrated there", she heard somebody say. The voice was very familiar, though. She recognized him as Roger.

She turned around to find the ocean eyes that somehow captivated her. He was wearing something very casual, and his dark blond hair was messy. Roger was also having a cigarette at that moment, looking at her with fun.

"Hi there", she said, giving him a small smile and turning around to carry one bottle. Then she gave it a second thought and brought another one with her. "Fun times", the sarcasm in her voice was evident, very evident.

"Parents?", he asked as he remembered that her apparently twin brothers had said something about them visiting, and she nodded. Both of them walked together to the checkout desk. She had two bottles and a pack of cigarettes, and he had three beer bottles in his trolley. "I understand the feeling... actually, Fred told me what the problem really was-- I hope you don't mind as we are friends now, love", he quickly corrected himself, but in a quirky manner.

"No problem", she mumbled as she paid for her things. 

Roger was expecting to hear something else coming from her mouth as she was putting the bottles in a plastic bag while the store clerk was receiving his money. She didn't seem to be in a rush. Maybe he could walk her home. He understood that there was tension between her and her family, and she was a cool girl and almost a band member, so why not?